India's gold demand falls by 9% in 2019 with high rates: WGC

30 Jan 2020 Evaluate

The World Gold Council (WGC) in its latest report stated that India's gold demand dipped by 9% to 690.4 tonnes in 2019 as against last year. The record domestic rates and economic slowdown has contributed dip in retail buying. The domestic gold rates had marked above Rs 39,000 per ten grams in 2019, up by 24% than at the end of 2018.

As per the WGC estimates, India's demand for the yellow metal in 2020 is likely to rebound to 700-800 tonnes with the increased acceptance of high price level and likely economic reforms boosting consumer confidence. But government measures aimed at bringing transparency in bullion trading may cap the demand below the 10-year average of 843 tonnes.

The country's scrap supplies in 2019 is reported to have rose by 37% to 119.5 tonnes, helping New Delhi to bring down net bullion imports by 14% to 646.8 tonnes. Gold imports remained lower due to softening of local demand and 37% rise in recycled gold to 119 tonnes in 2019.

The government has made hallmarking (quality certification) mandatory on January 15, 2020 with a transition period of one year for the trade to sell or change its existing non-hallmarked inventory. This is an overdue reform and a positive step towards making the Indian gold more trustworthy.

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